1. Read and take notes on:
- “Change the World” (Interview with Babatunde Olatunji) http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/baba.html
- “Arthurian Philosophy” http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/philosophy.html
- “Arthurian Philosophy” http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/philosophy.html
- “Drum Circle Etiquette” http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/etiquette.html
2. Listen to any three tracks from Babtunde Olatunji's historic album Drums of Passion.
- Go to audio.depauw.edu
- Log in with the username you use for Moodle and the DPU network (i.e., your "network password," which may be different than your Gmail password).
- If necessary, select this class (MUS 130 A).
- There will be a Drums of Passion playlist with 8 tracks.
Your comment should:
- be at least two paragraphs long;
- discuss at least three key points from the articles above; and
- describe your reaction to listening to the Drums of Passion tracks
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ReplyDeletetypos are stupid
DeleteOlatunji's most important point in the interview was that we are instruments, that clapping, stamping, singing, etc. are the most basic ways to make music. His concept of a drum circle is built on the idea that since everyone is an instrument, everyone can make music - the drum is just a tool. He also had a great point about facilitators that can be applied to any teacher - it's not about projecting the teacher's ego on the student, it's about bringing the student out of himself in new ways. I disagreed with the importance of preserving traditional African instrumentation - we are the instruments, and the extraneous tools we use don't matter at all (whether it's a djembe, a piano, a log, Garageband, whatever) because people can find a way to express themselves with anything.
ReplyDeleteOut of the first three tracks of the Drums of Passion album, I liked Oya, the second, the best. The shift between the simple booming duple opening into the five, three and four patterns interweaving was awesome, especially the fluidity of it; I didn't catch the five until the second listen. What was present on every track that made the whole thing work for me was the relaxed intensity, how it sounded like everyone completely meant every note but nothing tensed up. The vocals threw me off because they used a major scale - I listened to some stuff from Ghana for a class last year and everything was pentatonic, so I wrongly expected more pentatonic stuff.
I enjoyed the articles, especially the interview. I really liked what Babatunde Olatunji said about the “spirit of the drum”. To paraphrase, he says “The spirit of the drum is something that you feel but cannot put your hands on it. You feel when people come together to play. It does something to you from the inside out, but you can’t really put your hands on it… But the feeling is one that is satisfying and joyful. It is a feeling that makes you say to yourself, ‘Yes, I’m glad to be alive today. I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad I’m a part of this world.’” On Wednesday, I definitely felt that connection with the other people in the group. We were bonded by something much stronger than just a mentor group, but, like Olantunji says, I can’t quite place exactly what the exact feeling is!! It’s a very intimate, very raw feeling and while it’s very cool, it’s also very strange. But I really liked that feeling.
ReplyDelete“Rhythm has the power to heal. Everything that exists, vibrates with its own rhythm. This massage influences the harmonious alignment of our physical cells, emotional states, and our spirits.” That really resonates with me, not only because I want to go into music therapy and this is a fundamental concept in that field, but also because it is so very true! In class, many people remarked on how they were tired and rundown by the time they made it to FYS and the drum circle made them feel better, more awake and more connected. Music is an AMAZING healing agent. One that never ceases to amaze me and seeing it at work first hand is an irreplaceable experience.
I personally liked “Sweet as Honey” just because I felt like the name really fit the piece. My roommate (Sarah) listened to “Chant to the God of Thunder” a lot when she had this assignment, so I’ve listened to that quite a bit. I like the passion in it, but something in “Sweet as Honey” just seems to sing inside of me. It’s indescribable, which is a very frustrating but also rather likeable feeling.
I definitely agree with Stephen's focus on us being the instruments. In the interview, Olatunji stated that this fascination with percussive music is actually us "rediscovering ourselves," since it pays homage to man's earliest musical instincts. I had never thought about it that way, but it's cool to see that connection now. Another thing that I really connect with is Olatunji's strong focus on the idea of community and togetherness. I feel like this is something that is often talked about, but it's difficult to put into practice. What's really cool in just one drumming session, I already felt more connected to the others in the mentor group than I had since we met. When Catherine and I connected across the circle regarding the colors we were seeing, and when Henrik and Stephen started contributing to the conversation, it resulted in a really amazing sense of community.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite thing that Olatunji had to say is this:
“It’s important to let people get a little closer. So that they can see and experience and feel what you are doing and what you are a part of. It’s also okay for someone to perform and for people to clap their hands at the end, then leave. But to really be a part of it, to know that they can be a part of it, is more.”
because he acknowledges that there are multiple ways to appreciate art, but he also acknowledges that contributing to it is an entirely different experience than simply observing it. That's something that I find really inspiring, and I want to share it with others outside our community.
The entire Drums of Passion album was really cool to listen to, but I especially enjoyed "Odun de! Odun de!" It's got a really nice spiritual feeling to it, which I find really pleasant. What I also love about it is that it can portray an amazing sense of excitement while keeping the music relaxed. It really just makes me happy :)
I think Olatunji makes an excellent point when he says "All people from all walks of life, all colors, have various things that they can do together, and it’s the simplest thing to make music and sing together." I believe that's a very important concept because we are all people and we should all come together and get along, which during when Olatunji first came over that wasn't necessarily happening. I also agree with Patrick about being the instruments and "rediscovering ourselves." Now that I think back on my childhood that was one of the big ways i would entertain myself, by tapping on myself or objects or clapping.
ReplyDeleteIn the second article it mentions the term Endrummingment. Its described as state of being, an experience, an attitude, a process, and an empowerment. It also mentions sharing: "sometimes we share ourselves with a circle of people, sometimes we share our inner selves with outer selves." I think that a very important concept to share ourselves with the other circle members. It goes along with u being the instrument, basically you're sharing yourself with what you're playing, because in essence, you are playing yourself.
I really enjoy the entire Drums of Passion album. Its so incredible that you can make all these different types of music with drums. I've never heard something like this before so it was a new and interesting experience for me.
My personal favorite track though was definitely Akiwowo. It sounded like you were on a train. It gave the effect that you were really there, on a train with a chanting conductor and I really liked that.
First off I really enjoyed the music. I liked the passion and the freeing qualities of the singing but also the loose structure of the playing. The third track was my favorite; I loved the upbeat dance style of the piece and also the call and response lyrics in the beginning.
ReplyDeleteNow in reference to our drum circle on Wednesday or just "jamming" in general I really enjoyed what Mr. Olatunji said, "The spirit of the drum is something that you feel but cannot put your hands on it. You feel when people come together to play. It does something to you from the inside out, but you can’t really put your hands on it. You feel it while you’re playing and after you play for a while, sometimes for 24 hours, sometimes for two or three days. It hits people in so many different ways, that to try to define it would just be a matter of semantics, the use of words. But the feeling is one that is satisfying and joyful. It is a feeling that makes you say to yourself, “Yes, I’m glad to be alive today. I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad I’m a part of this world.” It stays with you until other things come and take your attention away from it, but you will always remember it."
I think that that speaks to everyone in any musical setting in which you play with other people. It is that connection to our instruments and to each other that brings us back to play together again.
In response to the Arthurian Philosophy article, I totally believe in that about his statement on rhythm. "Rhythm has the power to heal." That relates to the paragraph above and the other statements by myself and Mr. Olatunji. Also for myself being a religious person, I agree about the church worship and community. Many times I leave church feeling full and restored from the music in combination with the worship.
I find it very interesting how When Olantunji came to america Africa was percieved in a very interesting light. In a way it reminds me of the Old West movies and how they depicted cowboys which was completely different than what it actually was. I also find it rather amazing how he was able to make such a change to American music in so many ways from altering genres to actually creating some.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Arthurian Philosophy is a concept I think a lot of musicians are familiar with but without really knowing. Its almost innate to any natural musician. How rhythm and music can "heal" as he called it. Also, what he was talking about when he talked about timelessness when you practice with a group, I think in a way we all have experienced that. That is why we continue to make music with one another and not by ourselves. The magic it brings.
As far as drum circle etiquette, I feel like a lot of it is common sense. Be respectful of the instrument, yours as well as others, and also be respectful of others. For the drum circle to really work you need to be able to have a certain kind of trust between people almost to create this serene peace. Without that, the true potential of the circle is left unfinished. Also, since the drum circle is based on beats it would make more sense listening than just playing. It wouldn't make to much sense because then you would just end up with a strange combinations of rhythms that don't go together.
THe drums of passion is very cool. It is amazing how people can play off of beats like that. I find it so cool how they can make them intertwine so flawlessly and it sounds like perfection. It is a true example of how you literally just need to let the music flow and listen and respond.
In reading the articles I felt that the key points were togetherness and the healing factors involved in drum circles. Babatunde even talked of how he likes to stress “togetherness” and Endrummingment is essentially described as a healing process. In my opinion I see it as an interactive personal experience based on the feeling of togetherness with an intention of healing. The thought that “life is rhythm and rhythm is life” is an idea I find interesting. For me this idea can relate to nature and the rhythm that nature has with all the different animals and the weather adding to it all. When I think of rhythm relating to life I even think of the show STOMP! and how they created music with the things around them. The show can very much relate to drum circles and how they could be playing cards and create a rhythm with just the cards and the table. The drum etiquette was somewhat self-explanatory, but the description of how it’s all about relationships definitely changed my view of drum circles. It relates more to singing for me and how when you sing a duet you have to feed off the other singer’s energy.
ReplyDeleteThe album Drums of Passion was very interesting in how if I just heard drums I would not assume they would be singing and incorporating various instruments. When listening I could tell all the musicians where in synch with one another and truly feeling the music. The chanting or singing only aided in the rhythmic togetherness of the group and created a somewhat warm feeling. The music is welcoming and very pleasant to listen to. The trust within the group like Catherine said is very noticeable in how they are so together and trusting that others will follow.
I really liked how in the etiquette article, they started off by saying that drum circles create relationships. Everyone has different rhythms that they put on the table and although they differ, they still unite to create a unique sound. I like that one of the rules was to listen. Its human nature to be stuck in our bubble and just think about what we're doing, but to open up the relationship we're creating in the drum circle, its important to listen and enjoy each other's different perspectives. Since we're all music majors, we have a tendency to have a bit of an ego, and forcing ourselves to keep our rhythms simple to leave room for other people's rhythms is essential. I feel like we need to do this more outside of the drum circle experience as well.
ReplyDeleteI personally liked Baba Jinde (Flirtation Dance), and it might be because I love girl's power to flirt. When I listened to it I could see in my mind a lady checking out the merchandise and trying to find her man. I liked how up beat it was and it made me want to dance in my seat along with the lady I had in my head. Finding a guy who can dance salsa is important for most Colombian girls, so thats how I related this to my own world.
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ReplyDeleteThe interview with Olatunji was very inspiring. He mentioned "togetherness", which is geared to "promotes love" and to make sure that "everyone feel(s) important". I have heard of a drum circle before, but never have I ever viewed this opportunity, (the drum circle), as a way of becoming united, as a whole, with every being in the circle. As stated by Olatunji we are linked to every individual, and that is eye opening. I really liked what Olatunji said about the old Chinese Proverb, "I don’t let go of anybody who has done something good for me. Those are the people that I spend my time and energy with. I have no time or spare energy for anything or anyone who is being detrimental to my spirit, or keeping me from my goal." On a personal note that quote stuck out to me because that is something that I have issues with. I linger on the bad, the negative, and therefore the positive has no way of surfacing because I hold on to what “evil” or wrong has been done to me rather than the good, and I believe that, as said in Wednesday’s class, that this drum circle is a way of therapy/ stress reliever.
ReplyDeleteI loved the concept of harmony and rhythm in the “Arthurian Philosophy” article. The article mentions music as a way to worship in the church, and how the vibrations “vibrate the members of the group beyond intellect”. I go to a Pentecostal church where I am from in Texas, and the music that we play is contemporary. It is amazing how the music moves people and evokes so much emotion. It is amazing because just like the article described, it’s like “time stops”, and that we have “reach[ed] [a] place of timelessness”. The overall feeling that is created is harmonious and calm.
My favorite track was Jin-Go-Lo-Ba. It was so powerful which made it impossible to not dance to it. I sure was jamming in my dorm room with no shame. NO shame.